DVBV DHAMMA SCHOOL
Welcome to the
Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara
Dhamma School
The Dhamma School at the Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara, Hornsby, caters to a growing number of enrolled students who are eager to learn the Buddha’s way of life.
The Dhamma School conducts classes fortnightly (from 4.00pm – 6.00pm, every other Sunday) during the NSW School Term.
Each class starts with Buddha Vandhana, which teaches children to worship and practice offerings to the Buddha. An experienced and dedicated teacher presents the students with a scheduled lesson, followed by a tutorial which students do in class and complete at home.
Lessons are planned according to the Buddhism curriculum followed in the English medium public-school sector in Sri Lanka. Students learn about Buddhist culture, the history of Buddhism, Buddhist stories, and many other aspects of Buddhism as a religion and its philosophy, making it an informative and enriching experience for the students.
Our Vision
Encourage multiculturalism in Australia by promoting the Sinhala language and Sri Lankan culture.
Our Mission
DVBV is committed to deliver a transformative and enriching learning experience to the younger generation of the greater Sydney Sri Lankan community by enhancing their Sinhala language skills, and providing them with an insight into the Sri Lankan heritage, culture and traditional values.
Dhamma School Rules and Regulations
Parents:
- Should complete the enrolment form at the beginning of each year or at the time of enrolment
- Must update any changes to the information given at the time of enrolment
- Must provide contact numbers of both parents so that they may be contacted in the case of an emergency
- Are expected to clean and arrange the classes based on the cleaning roster date allocated to them
- Must not enter classrooms during the class time unless required by the teacher
- Must ensure that they (or any responsible adult) should remain at the temple premises during class time.
Children:
- Are required to attend the Dhamma School regularly
- Are required to participate in special events, such as Prathibha, Sinhala New Year festival, and Buddhist religious events such as Vesak and Poson;
- Must behave in accordance with religious and cultural traditions;
- Must respect the monks, teachers, parents and follow their instructions
- Must respect fellow students and not disturb them in or outside the classes
- Must remove footwear, hats, and caps when entering the temple
- Are expected to bring their textbook and required stationary items daily
DVBV Dhamma School Curriculum
The school curriculum focuses on practical Buddhism in contemporary life, we discuss personal and public issues and how the Dhamma can be used to assist us to lead a more compassionate existence with our family, friends and animals.
We start each week with the Vandana, Tisarana and Panca Sila before dividing into three groups:
- Level 1 for Grades 1 to 3;
- Level 2 for Grades 4 to 5;
- Level 3 for Secondary School students (Grade 6 and above).
Effective 1 Jan 2022, the DVBV Sunday Dhamma School is open only to children whose parents (at least one) are members of the DVBV.
Dhamma school registrations are now closed for 2024. If you wish to place your child on a waiting list or have a query about the Dhamma School, please email: info.dhammavijaya@gmail.com
DVBV Dhamma School Syllabus
Levels 1
Due to the wide range of development in this class, children must be in school Grade 1 or higher.
As the concentration span of the children in this class are relatively short, the lessons are divided into four sections.
- One of the tenets of the Dhamma, e.g. one of the Five Precepts, Dana etc.
- A chapter from the life of The Buddha.
- A Jataka story.
- An activity usually related to the Jataka.
- The class usually finishes with a short meditation.
Level 2 and Level 3
Age-appropriate material is presented in these sessions. They may consist of:
- Short guided meditation, either Vipassana or Metta.
- Revision of the basic Buddhist teachings: the 4 Noble Truths, the 8-fold Path, Ten Paramitas.
- Discussion of a Dhamma topic possibly raised after a Jataka story- type presentation, e.g. illustrating perfections of the Bodhisattva, or one of the Suttas; sometimes a short play performance of Dhamma instructional material is undertaken.
- The conclusionon is usually by chanting and dedication of merits.
DVBV Dhamma School Term – 2024
Term 1
11th February (Sunday)
25th February (Sunday)
10th March (Sunday)
24th March (Sunday)
7th April (Sunday)
Term 2
5th May (Sunday)
19th May (Sunday)
2nd June (Sunday)
16th June (Sunday)
30th June (Sunday)
Term 3
28th July (Sunday)
11th August (Sunday)
25th August (Sunday)
8th September (Sunday)
22st September (Sunday)
Term 4
20th October (Sunday)
3rd November (Sunday)
17th November (Sunday)
1st December (Sunday)
15th December (Sunday)
DVBV Dhamma School Teachers Profiles
Ven Hapugoda Buddhadatta Thero
Head of Institute – Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara
The Ven Hapugoda Buddhadatta hails from the Sri Dharmaraja Vihara in Thoranegama, Bulnawa Galnawa. He studied the Theravada Tripitaka Dharmaya and Meditation at the Dhammarathana Pirivena, Batagalla, Pujapitiya, and became a fully ordained monk in 1971. He is currently the Head of Institute at the Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara, Hornsby.
He is renowned as an erudite monk with an excellent knowledge of the Dhamma. He is a well experienced preacher, and has served his local community in various religious activities and spiritual programs.
Ven Buddhadatta is a visiting monk at the Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara, Hornsby, for a short period.
Ven Ratmalane Dhammika Thero
The Principal – Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara Dhamma School
The Ven Ratmalane Dhammika was ordained as a monk at the Kaldemulla Pulinathalarama Maha Viharaya in 2002. He is currently the Principal at the Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara Dhamma School.
He studied the Theravada Tripitaka Dharmaya and Meditation at Ratmalana Mallikaramaya Dharmarakshitha Tripitaka Dharmayathana Pirivena, and at the Vidyodaya Maha Pirivena.
Ven Dhammika has a good knowledge and understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, and ancient Buddhist texts.
With over 20 years of experience as a monk, Ven Dhammika has extensive experience in meditation, preaching the Dhamma, and conducting Buddhist religious and cultural activities.
Ven Ratmalane Somaloka Thero
Spiritual Advisor – Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara
The Ven Ratmalane Somaloka is the advisor to the Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara. He established the Australian Buddhist Vihara in 1972, the first Buddhist Meditation Centre in the Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia, where he was the Chief Incumbent until 2020.
He is renowned for his work in bringing together the physical and mental healing techniques in promoting awareness of psychological and physical well-being, and practicing holistic medicine, psychological counselling, and meditation. He is an exceptional teacher who combines both the knowledge and experience of Buddhist meditation, with the knowledge and understanding of Western clinical psychotherapy.
Ven Somaloka is member of the Australian Counselling Association, and the American Psychological Association. Presently, he directs the mindfulness meditation and psychological counselling centre in Sydney.
Ms. Samindra Niluki Gunaratne
Head Teacher – Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara
Ms. Samindra Niluki Gunaratne, voluntarily teaching Buddhism at
Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara, since January 2022. I have more than 15 years’ experience working with Sri Lankan community children, in teaching Language, Culture and Buddhism. I am a life member of the Sinhalese Cultural Forum of NSW and has done many projects with Young Australian/Sri Lankan Children, such as SCF Tharuna Youth Group (Age 16 – 25) and Sydney Muthuhara Children’s Society (Age 9 – 21). I have been a permanent teacher at Sinhalese Language School run by Sinhalese Cultural Forum for nearly 20 years teaching many different age groups over the past years.
How You Can Help
“Sabbha Danan Dhamma Danan Jinathi”
“The Gift of Dhamma Excels All Other Gifts”
The Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara is maintained by the generous contributions made by its Devotees. These meritorious donations assist with the upkeep and day to day expenses of the temple. Your continuous support ensures that the temple meets its objectives in providing a service to the community.